Prof. Gordon Awandare, Pro Vice‑Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at the University of Ghana, called on the government to increase research funding to develop homegrown healthcare technologies. He said Ghana has the expertise and institutions needed, but “inadequate funding remains a major challenge.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the “Bench to Bedside” symposium organised by the University of Ghana Medical Centre, Awandare warned that the country’s reliance on imported medical equipment could be avoided if local solutions were developed. He added that “technology is expensive, and any technology that is new costs money. That’s why we need to invest more in research so we can develop our own technologies.”
Awandare linked the lack of investment to the loss of skilled professionals through brain drain, noting that Africa has been deprived of some of its most valuable human resources. He urged stronger collaboration among researchers, industry players and policymakers to support research and innovation.
He highlighted the role of forums like Bench to Bedside in bridging the gap between academia and industry, saying, “We have the knowledge‑generating institutions. There needs to be collaboration between the universities, the hospital and the policymakers.”
The symposium brought together students, researchers, hospital management, policymakers and private‑sector stakeholders to discuss integrating research and technology into clinical care in Ghana.
